Ore-concentrator.



No. 868,830. PATENTED OCT. 22. 1907. J. ALG-ERT.

ORE GONGENTRATOR.

APPLIOA'IIOII FILED MAB. 4. 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

rm: uomus PETERS cu. WASHINGTON, 0, c4

, PATENTED 00122. 1907. J. ALGERT, ORE GONCENTRATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 4. 1907-.-

fizjjrazforx wwfi j JOSEPH ALGERT, OIF DENVER, COLORADO.

ORE-CONGENTRATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1907.

Application filed March 4, 1907. Serial No- 360,564.

- v I tors, and the ob ects of my invention areztoprovide a concentrator table, the surface of which is provided with an nnrillletl surface at and adjacent to the ore pulp feeding end, and is riflied at and adjacent to its tailings discharge end, and with riflles that are arranged in diagonal lines across said table, and which are arranged to extend across the surface of the table in radial lines, which rilllcs if extended beyond the table would all meet at a common center, the said riiiles being arranged so that each alternate rili'le extends across the table, and the intermediate rifl'les extend a predetermined distance across the table, and in which the table is incline(| from its head or ore-pulp feeding end to its tailings discharge end, and is arranged and adapted to have a variable speed throw reciprocating movement, said table being pivotally supported at its tailings discharge end and provided with a driving mechanism thal is adapted and arranged to give to the head or feed end of the table'a greater reciprocal or oscillating movement than its tailings end in order that the heavier mineral particles of an ore-pulp may be subjected to the greatest settlement movement at the head of the table and be settled out of the lighter and finer ore-pulp onto the surface of the table, in the successive order of the specific gravities, as the ore-pulp feeds across the table from its head or ore-pulp feeding end to its tailings discharge end, thus not only allowing a graded separation and concentration of an ore or any particular metal, but a distinct separation and concentration to be made between metals of an ore of different specific gravities, such as iron, lead, and zinc.

l attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a plan view of my improved ore concen trator. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3, is a vertical, transverse, sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 41, is a vertical, sectional viewthrough one side of the foundation frame, and the table supporting frame, showing one of the wedges which are adapted to support and elevate the table supporting frame. Figs. 5, (3 and 7 are, respectively, a front elevation, a plan view, and side view, of one of the brackets which are secured to the table supporting frame, and rest upon the upper edges of the lifting wedges. Fig. 8, is a plan view of the foundation frame. Fig, 9, is a plan view of the table supportingframe. Fig. 10, is a vertical, sectional view through one of the adjustable supports for the pins upon which the table rests. Fig. 11, a vertical, sectional view, through one side of the base frame and table supporting frame, showing the manner of preventing lateral movement of the table supporting frame. And Fig. 12, is a sectional view through the driving mechanism for the table.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1, designates the foundation bed plate of my concentrator. This bed plate is preferably made of heavy longitudinal side timbers 2, a central timber 3, and cross timbers t, strongly framed and bolted together, but if desired it may be made of structural steel or of cast iron beams and girders and angle plates. The central timber 3, extends beyond the opposite ends 5 and 6 a short distance, and one side timber also extends beyond the end of the frame at the end 5, and cross timbers 7 are framcd and bolted to the center and this extended side timber. 1 term this end 5, of this foundation. bed plate, and also of the concentrator, the head end, and the end 6 the tailings end. On the opposite side timbers 2, at the tailings end 6 of this bed plate, I secure boxes 8 by bolts S), and in these boxes I journal a shaft 10, which extends transversely across the frame, and on its opposite ends I secure gear pinions 11, the teeth of which are arranged in mesh with the teeth of two gear-toothed racks 12, which extend lengthwise along the top surface of the timbers 2 a short distance from adjacent to the tailing-s end towards the head end of the bed or foundation plate.

Upon the central portion of the shaft 10, I mount and secure a gear 13, which meshes into a pinion 14, that is mounted on a counter-shaft 15, which is arranged parallel to the shaft 10, and is journaled to boxes 16, that are secured to the center timber 3, and one of the side timbers 2, and upon this counter-shaft I mount and secure a bevel 17, which meshes with a bevel pinion 18, that is mounted and secured on the end of a shaft 1.9, which is journalcd in boxes 20, secured to the bed plate. This shaft is arranged to extend beyond the bed plate frame, and a hand wheel 21 is mounted and secured to its end, and is adapted to rotate the train of gears 11, 13, 14., 17, and 18, to move the toothed racks 12. These toothed racks 12 are adapted to operate a plurality of wedges 22, which are positioned at intervals along the length of the side timbers of the bed plate. I preferably illustrate three wedges on each side of the bed plate on top of the side timbers, and position them at substantially equal distances apart placing one at adjacent to the opposite ends and one in the central portion of the length of the bed plate. These wedges are adapted to support a supplementary frame 23, which consists of the side pieces 23 and the end cross pieces 23 and the angled end pieces 23 I term this supporting frame the table supportingframe, as it is adapted to support the concentrating table above it, and the wedges are used to raise or lower the table longitudinally, the pivotal bearing at the tailings end of the table being arranged to tilt sufficiently to permit the table to be raised or lowered at its head end, and set at any desired inclination of the head end above the tailings end.

Each group of wedges and their operating racks, are connected in alinement with each other by a rod 24, which extends loosely through apertures 25 formed through the wedges, and apertures 26 formed through the racks. The wedges are adjustably secured to these connecting rods 24, by set screws 27, which are threaded into the outside side surfaces, and the racks are also secured to the rods 24, by set screws 28, which are threaded into the outside sides of the two racks. The wedges are each mounted on a short section of track 29, which preferably consists of a half-round piece of iron secured to the top of the side timbers under each wedge, and in the bottom edges of the wedges a semi-circular groove 30 is formed that fits the curvature of the track.

To the side pieces of the table-supporting frame, I secure in positions to engage the top surface of the wedges, a bracket 31, which is secured at one end to the frame and projects over the wedges, and the end of the bracket is provided with a hook-shaped end, the under side of which is provided with a semi-circular-shaped recess, and the top surfaces of the wedges are rounded to fit into these curved recesses of the hooked ends of these brackets. The wedges are thus held by these brackets and by their tracks in engagement with the table-supporting frame.

The table-supporting frame is adapted to be raised and lowered by these wedges acting against the curved recesses in the under sides of these brackets through the medium of the gear racks, and the train of gears and the hand wheel. The table-supporting frame is held firmly against lateral movement by vertical brackets 32, which are positioned on opposite sides of the frame at various points along its length. These brackets are secured to the bed timbers 2,- at their lower ends, and their upper ends are preferably provided with an adjustable metal plate 32, which is secured to its side facing the adjacent side edge of the frame, and to the adjacent side of the frame opposite this plate I also secure a metal plate 33, and these tWo plates are adjusted to bear against each other slidably.

Above the table-supporting table, I support a concentrating table 34, which is supported on pivotal rods 35, that stand vertically under it and project up under it and that are supported at their lower ends in vertically adjustable socket blocks 36, which are slidably mounted in a recess 36 formed in a base plate 36 which is provided with a keyway and a wedge 36 which fits loosely in said keyway and is provided with a threaded stem and nut at one end. The block rests on the wedge and is adj ustably raised by screwing up its nut, which bears against a shouldered portion of the base. The block can also-be lowered by loosening the nut and tapering the wedge to drive it back. Each base box of each of the tables pivotal rods is provided with an adjustable recess block in order to adjust the rods to equally support the table.

The blocks 36 contain pivotal socket recesses 37 in their upper surfaces, and the lower end of the pivotal rods is provided with a pivotal end preferably a round end, which fits pivotally in the socket recess of the socket plate. The upper ends of the pivotal rods are also provided with a pivotal end, which extends into sockets formed in plates 38, which are secured to the under side of the concentrating table I preferably place three pair of these table supporting pivotal rods under the table, positioning a pair at the opposite cor ner portions of the opposite ends of the table, and at the center portion of the table, and as the table is i ntended to always stand at a downward inclination from its head or ore feeding end 5, toward its tailings discharge end 6, and the table supporting frame is arranged to stand at about or close to a much nearer horizontal plane than the concentrating table, these pivotal rods are necessarily of different lengths at the different points of the table where they are positioned. These pivotal rods permit the concentrating table to have a lateral or transverse oscillating reciprocative movement independent of the table supporting frame 23.

The concentrating table is pivotally journaled at its tailings discharge end upon a vertical pin 39, which is rigidly secured in a socket plate 40, that is secured to the angled terminal end of the tables supporting frame 23. This pin passes loosely through a sleeve 41, which is secured to the ends of a pair of converging timbers 4-2, that project from the opposite sides of the tailings discharge end of the concentrating table. On the under side of the frame 23, in line with the socket 40, is secured a socket plate 43, which is pivotally supported on the end of a stud or pin 45, secured in a socket plate 46, which is attached to the foundation frame. Consequently while the concentrating table is pivotally journaled to oscillate with a horizontal reciprocal oscillating movement upon the vertical pin at its tailings end, both the table and its supporting frame are journaled to be moved-vertically into any desired angle of inclination from the head end 5 of the table towards its tailings discharge end 6, on top of the pivotal center stud 45.

I-have preferably given to my concentrating table a transverse reciprocating oscillating movement in proferenee to a longitudinal movement, and while I may use any suitable variable stroke and variable speed reciprocative movement, and could apply it to any portion of the table desired, I preferably mount and connect the driving mechanism at and to the head end of the table, and I preferably use the toggle joint form of driving mechanism, although I desire it understood that my invention contemplates the use of any suitable reciprocal oscillating movement producing mechanism, and that I do not claim the toggle joint driving mechanism herein illustrated as a part of my present invention.

The table portion of my concentrator consists of a suitable frame 67, made of suitable side and cross pieces of lumber, upon which is laid a flooring of boards 68, preferably of red wood, and over this flooring a sheet of linoleum G9 is secured, which forms the concentrating surface of the table. A side rail is arranged along the feed side '71, of the table, that extends up above the concentrating surface high enough to prevent the ore-pulp from flowing or splashing over it, and a similarly-arranged rail '70 is placed along the head end of the table. These side and head end rails are preferably made of sheet galvanized iron, but may be made of any other suitable sheet metal or material. I preierably shape that portion oi the feed side of the table that extends from about the center of its length to its tailings discharge end to extend in a converging diagonal line from this central point to its discharge end, which makes the table narrower across the tailings discharge end than at its middle and head end portions, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Upon the top of the linoleum surface of the table, I secure a plurality of riflies 72, which may be of any suitable form of cross section, and they also may be straight or even in height throughout their lengths or they may be tapering ri'l'lles, as my invention contemplates the use of any shape or kind or character in discharge end; consequently they extend obliquely from the feed side rail towards both the iailings discharge side and end, but more particularly towards the discharge side; and I also preferably arrange these riflles so that they radiate in relative radial lines or paths from the feed side towards the tailings discharge side, towards a common imaginary center, which center is of course beyond the table, and they are consequently shorter than if they extended to their common center, but this arrangement causes them to stand closer together at the tailings discharge side edge otthe table than at the feed side rail of the table. quently, I prelerabtv extend each alternate rillle clear across the table from side to side, and each inter-me diate rillle I extend only part way across.

The imaginary center or vanishing point from which the rillles radiate is positioned parallel with the tailings discl arge end of the table, and consequently all ol' the rilllos radiate from this discharge end in successive radial lines across the table, and they are more and more obliquely arranged as they approach the center of the length of the table, at which point I prefer they should terminate, thus lcaving about one-hall of the length of the table at its head end with an unrillled concentrating surface, and along the corner oi the head end side rail, 1 place an ore-pulp and clear water l'eed'hopper '73, which is made in the form ot' a rightangle at the feed side of the table to fit into the head end corner. This l'i-ed hopper is preferably made an integral part of the ore-pulp feed box as illustrated, the ore-pulp iced portion being divided l'rorn the clear water portion by a partition 74, This ore-pulp and clear water feed hopper is provided with a suitable ore-pulp feeding launder 75, and also with a clear water supply pipe 7n, and suitable discharge apertures 77, to allow both the ore-pulp and the clear water to discharge along the length of both the ore-pulp and water connpartmenls oi the hopper. This ore-pulp and clear water hopper is supported by brackets 78, which are secured at their lower ends to the end strip 23 of the table supporting frame, and they extend up and over the head end oi the table, and the hopper is secured to them. The hopper is positioned at a suliicient distance above the table to permit the head end of the table to be vertically adjusted to any practical operating angle. A suitable launder 78 is placed below the tailings discharge end of the table, and is lonscprovided with an extension 79, which conveys the tailings away from the concentrator.

It may be necessary when concentrating some ores to give to the table a slight transverse tilting inclination from the ore-pulp feeding side to the tailings discharge side.

My invention contemplates the use of any suitable adjustable mechanism for transversely tilting the table, but I preferably accomplish this, by elevating the socket blocks 36, on the feed side of the table, enough higher than those on the discharge side to give the desired transverse inclination, and this is accomplished by the wedges 36 as has been previously explained. v

The operation of my improved oscillating recipro eating movement inclined table is as follows: "he table is oscillated in a horizontal plane transversely to its length by the driving mechanism, areeiprocative speed oi from about 250 to 350 strokes per minute being necessary for the general run of ores, with a reciprocz tive stroke varying from about three-eighths to an inch and a quarter, and as the table is journaled at its tailings discharge end, the head end ol the table receives the full length of the stroke, while the length of the stroke decreases throughout the length of the table to its journal bearing; consequently as the ore pulp [lows onto the head end of the table, at its head end corner, together with a supply of clear water along its head end, it is subjected to greater settling action at the head end than at any other portion of the table; and this oscillating action causes the heavier and coarser mineral particles in the ore-pulp to quickly settle down through the ore-pulp onto the suriaceo't the table, and the quick jerking threw portion of the driving mechanisms reciprocal stroke is applied to the table to force the mineral particles towards the concentrates discharge side of the table, while the ore pulp owing to the downward inclination of the surface of the table from the head end towards the tailings discharge end flows towards the tailings discharge end of the table. The Hat unrillied surface at the head end of the table allows the heavier mineral particles to settle and separate irom the ore-pulp, and work off the table, before the ore pulp reaches the riflled portion oi the table; consequently oi the amount of orepulp flowing onto the table, a portion and the heaviest and coarsest portion is separated and concentrated, and it is the liner and most diilicult remaining portion oi the ore pulp that is concentrated by the riilles, which shelter and hold the liner mineral particles that settle between them, and serve also to guide them to the concentrates discharge side of the table. (Jensequently this oscillating movement of the head end of the table on a pivotal center'positioned.at the tailings end of the table, causes a progressive and successive settling of the heaviest mineral particles in the orepulp throughout the length of the table in the order and arrangement of their specific gravities, and suc: cessively and progressively enables the quantity of ore-pulp that is flowing onto and over the table to be lessened cdntinuously as the orepulp flows over it. Consequently close to the tailings discharge end ol' the table, the volume of ore-pulp is much smaller, and the length of the oscillating stroke is shorter as'the work required of this part of the table is not as great as of the head end, but the mineral particles being liner in the sands of the ore-pulp, a finer and gentler oscillating action is necessary to settle and concentrate them to the concentrating discharge side of the table.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred construction and arrangement of my concentrator, I do not wish to be limited to the various details of the various parts and members shown, as many changes might be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a concentrator, the combination with a bed plate, a frame mounted on said bed plate, boxes secured at predetermined parts of said frame, said boxes being provided withv a wedge receiving recess extending transversely through them, and with a vertical recess intersecting said wedge recess, a wedge in said recess provided with a threaded stem at its small end adapted to extend through the wedge recess of said foot box, a clamping nut threaded to the stem of said wedge and arranged to bear against said foot box, a vertical sliding block on said vertical rcccss provided with a pivotal center recess at its top end adapted to rest on said wedge, vertical rods provided with pointed ends supported at their lower ends in the pivotal recesses of the vertically sliding blocks of said foot blocks, a concentrating table supported by said rods and wedge blocks, a vertical shaft secured at one end to the discharge end of said table, a stud secured to said bed plate provided with a tapering point pivotally journaled in the lower end of said shaft, a socket plate secured to the under side of said table's supporting frame and provided with a pivotal recess adapted to journal the opposite or upper end of said tables vertical shaft, and means for oscillating said table on said vertical rods and said vertically journaled shaft.

2. A concentrator, comprising a table provided with an unriilled ore treating surface at one end, and a rill'led surface at its opposite end, said riilles being positioned on the surface of the table at short distances apart and arranged to extend in radiating lines from a common central point outside of the surface of the table, said rifiles being ar ranged to extend transversely across the discharge end of the table and extending towards the head end of the table at equal distances apart in progressively increasing oblique planes to the transverse plane and also to the longitudinal plane of the table, each alternate riille being arranged to extend across said table, and each intermediate riille being arranged to extend across the greater portion of the width of said table.

I}. In a concentrator, the combination of a table having a bed plate, tracks secured to the top of said bed plate, wedges mounted on said tracks, having their top edges formed into guideways, a concentrating table supporting frame pivot-ally journaled at one end to said bed frame, brackets on said table supporting frame having slideways adapted to (it on the guideways of said wedges, means including a rack and pinion for moving said wedges to raise or lower the free end of said table supporting frame, a concentrating table pivotally mounted on said table supporting frame, a journal box or sleeve secured at the tail lugs end of said table, a vertical shaft journaled in said sleeve and secured to the supporting frame of said table, a pivotal stud pin secured to the adjacent end of said frame, a plate secured to the under side of said table supclaim as porting frame provided with a centering recess adapted to fit pivotally on said stud pin and permit said table to oscillate in a transverse horizontal plane, and an operative differential reciprocating means attached to the opposite end portion of said table from its pivotal journal adapted to impart a transverse oscillating movement to said table.

i. In a concentrator, the combination with the base plate, provided at one end with a vertically arranged pivot ally pointed stud-pin, of a concentrating table having an extension beyond its tailings discharge end, a shaft secured in a vertical position in said extension, having a centering recess in its lower end fitting on the pivotal point stud-pin of said base block, and arranged to pivotally journal the tailings discharge end of said table on said base frame in such a manner as to permit said table to be oscillated transversely to its length, means for adjustably inclining said concentrator from its feed end downwardly to its tailings discharging end, said concentrating table being provided with an unriiiled surface at its head end and a plurality of riilles at its central and discharge end portions, said riflles being arranged to extend in radially converging lines across said table from its feed side towards a common central point outside of said table, and a suitable operative reciprocative quick return movement power driving mechanism operatively attached to the free end of said table and arranged and adapted to reciprocally oscillate said table on its vertical pivotal bearing in a horizontal plane.

5. In a concentrator, the combination of a table having a square and rectangular head end portion, a straight ore pulp-feed side and head end portion for a short distance of its length, an inclined converging feed side for the remainder of its length to its discharge end, a concentrates discharge side parallel to the head end feed side of said table and a tailings discharge end parallel with the head end of said table, with an ore pulp feeding hopper at the head end portion of said table, means for flowing a supply of clear water onto said table, an unriilled portion at and adjacent to the head end portion of said table, and a rillled portion at and adjacent to the tailings discharge end of said table, comprising a plurality of radially converging riilles arranged obliquely across said table, different reciprocating means for imparting oscillating movement to said table, and means for adjustably inclining said table from its head or feed end downward to its tailings discharge end.

6. A concentrator comprising a table provided with an unriiiled surface at its feed end portion, and a riiI'led snrface at its discharge end portion, said riilies radiating from central point to one side of the discharge end of the table, and extending in radial lines in progressive Order from transversely across said table at its discharge end in slightly increasingly oblique lines towards the head end of said table, to the opposite side of the table, each alternate riille terminating short of the discharge edge of the table, and said terminal ends collectively forming a concentrating curve relative to the center point from which said riilles radiate, and means including pivotal supports and a differential reciprocal driving mechanism for imparting a transverse horizontal oscillating movement to said table.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH ALGERT.

Witnesses \VAL'IER S. KENT, ALEXANDER R. DUNBAR. 

